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Myrtle Beach Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Myrtle Beach Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 318 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 32 > ]

 

J. K. from Georgia (2/20/2013)
"Fantastic Race" (about: 2013)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 6th half marathon and I loved every minute of it. I stayed at the host hotel so package pick up was easy and fast. I loved that the expo was also on Thursday night. We got there when the doors opened and although they were a lot people we got through the pick up process in a matter of minutes.

There was a shuttle from our hotel to the race site but we walked which was a nice way to warm up and cool down.

I loved seeing the elephant as I ran right past her at the start. It was quite a surprise but a unique way to start a race. The course was nice and flat with just one small rise that I can remember. There were pockets of spectators which was nice but I wouldn't care either way.

The volunteers were awesome and fluid stations were well stocked and placed every 2 miles. The medal was unique and I loved the shirt. It was my favorite out of all the 1/2 marathons I've done. All in all an outstanding and well organized race. Oh...and I set a PR as did my sister.
 

M. A. from Arlington, VA (2/18/2013)
"Great smaller race, welcoming community" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Terrific race, perfect weather, fast course (wish I'd trained a bit more!). Myrtle Beach was exceptionally easy to get around. We stayed at the convention center hotel, and had under a mile walk to the start/finish (shuttles provided, but a nice way to wake up and cool down/recover - also eliminated the need to check a bag).

Yes, the start is early (6:30), but they know what they're doing - sun comes up at 7 and by 10 it was getting a bit warm. The marathoners and the half-marathoners start at the same time and follow the same course for the first 11 miles. I was nervous about over-crowding, but you're clearly and cleanly separated into two lanes for the first mile +, and it was never over-run.

Race package included a t-shirt, blanket, hefty medal and drawstring backpack. Everyone we encountered was exceptionally friendly and nice. Post-race celebration was great, and plentiful food (chips, muffins, soup, bananas, beer, etc.)

Only three complaints: race shirt didn't have the date on it; instead of mylar blankets at the end, we were given plastic ponchos (In my experience Mylar holds the heat in a bit better); and post-race party was 12 miles away from the convention center, which dissuaded us from going.

Overall a great race, and one I'd do again.
 

J. C. from Raleigh, North Carolina (2/18/2013)
"Flat course w/ great volunteers" (about: 2013)

3 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Not a scenic course given that you are mostly running behind hotels and past shopping areas, but volunteers at the water stops are enthusiastic and loud. More bands and spectator support would have been nice.

The fleece blanket was a nice surprise amenity, in addition to the short sleeve tech t-shirt.

The shuttle bus driver was not well informed on the dropoff location for the start, but thankfully, other riders on the bus were.

Food at the end of the race was a little hard to find but it was plentiful (bagels, muffins, chips, soup, drinks, bars).

Overall, a decent small race and I may do it again.
 

K. E. from West Melbourne, FL (2/18/2013)
"Great race, beautiful place" (about: 2013)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Loved this race! First you cannot beat the location, and that is coming from someone who lives on the FL beach. We had all sun and COLD weather (it snowed that night!). Stayed at the Best Western Grand Strand and loved it. Shuttle right across the street. The expo was good, baby tigers and therapy dogs were cute. Sufficient choices for those who needed anything.

Expo location at the Sheritan was convienient too, parked across the street at Office Depot so didn't have to pay to park. Shuttle on race morning was waiting right outside when we were ready to go. The start had plenty of port a potties, major point for me. They had music and, though I didn't see them, the baby tigers and an elephant. They did have a few pace groups, more for the half I felt. The course was nice, the first half led us over to the beach,the second half continued up the coast and then onto the highway, which wasn't too bad.

My only complaint was the severe slant in the road as we progressed after the half split. Nothing can bedone about that hough (we were all trying to run the middle line!). My hips paid the price. The finish was very organized, my husband found me coming in (he ran the half and loved it!). Medals, ponchos, pictures first, then water, drink, fruit, fruit cups (my dream come true for after a marathon!), delcious muffins, crackers, soup, etc. we sat by the little lake in the sun and enjoyed the delicious smell of kettle corn.

They also had beer, Krispy Kreme, live music and more vendors. Shuttles back to hotels were not far. I must say the volunteers were the best I have seen in my ten marathons. True southern hospitality. The man who gave me my packet at the expo saw me in the race and cheered me on! The water stations were spaced perfectly and evryone cheered my name as I ran through. Great sized cups and plenty of water. There were music stations along the way too. There were spectators and those who came out were very encouraging. The medal was unique which I liked and the shirt fit great!

The RD gave a ready response when I emailed about registrations. I really loved this race, almost hit a PR, too bad about the road slant, but I am glad I did this as my SC race. Enjoy:)
 

M. P. from Indian Trail, NC (2/17/2013)
"Very well organized, flat with variety of scenery" (about: 2013)

2 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I really enjoyed this race. The organization was top notch with no hiccups that I could see. The expo was very easy to get in and out of. Shirt was a thin cotton T but they also gave out a fleece blanket so I won't harp on that. Fluid stations were plentiful plus there was live music throughout the course. Police did a fantastic job of controlling traffic where needed. The course had a good variety of scenery and was most importantly flat. Plenty of food and fluids at the finish. This was only my second 26.2 but compared to R&R savannah, this one was FAR superior on every aspect. The medal was unique and not a round disc. Cool medal. I will be back next year and probably the year after that. GREAT JOB Myrtle Beach!!
 

A. T. from Kingsport, TN (2/16/2013)
"Time to give credit where credit is due..." (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


For all the well deserved grief this race has received over the past few years, they deserve credit when they get it right. 2013 was extremely well done. Plenty of supplies on course, a large amount of enthusiastic and helpful volunteers, and a fast course that was prime for PR's. The setup allowed for easy tangent running... By far the closest to 26.2 on the watch of any marathon I've run thus far. All things considered, a great event this year!
 

s. K. from erie, pa ,usa (7/10/2012)
"food" (about: 2012)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I actually would run this marathon agian just for the home made chicken noodle soup at the end of the race. That soup was delicious!!!!!thanxx
 

d. l. from Charlotte, USA (4/21/2012)
"Beautiful race !" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Myrtle Beach Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Excellent organization, fast course, beautiful city and entertainment. will be back again next year !
 

S. A. from North Carolina (4/10/2012)
"No PR, but this was a great marathon," (about: 2012)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


My many thanks to Medical crew at finish. Only complaint was it was too far from finish and too hard to find water supply after race when I really needed it.
 

A. P. from North Carolina (3/22/2012)
"Boring and flat with great volunteers" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Myrtle Beach Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


All of the following thoughts are based on someone who drove 4 hours to get to the marathon and who non-competively ran/walked the marathon in just under 5 hours.

I enjoyed the expo. It wasn't small and it wasn't large. Good, relevant booths and it was nice to be able to have quality beer on a donation basis.

The course was as flat a course as I have ever run. Volunteers were good although fans were very much on the light side throughout. Where the director really dropped the ball was in three primary areas: 1) there was a food station advertised in the pre-race booklet at mile 16 and it did NOT exist on the course. To me, this is unforgivable as runners expect it if you advertise it. In addition there was no gel offered anywhere on the course. 2) The colors on the shirts were horrendous. Very feminine colors and ugly to boot. 3) There were very few bands on the course. Is it really that hard to go to the local Churches, coffee houses, schools, et cetera and ask if anyone would like to set up and play music during the marathon? It really means a lot to many runners if there is music along the course (even if it is not the best music) and to me this is a very easy thing to secure especially among the teenagers who are literally begging to play and get attention. I was, however, impressed by the arm warmers that had the marathon name on them. I don't have any and have used them many times since the marathon. I was also impressed by the medal which was unique and high-quality.

I thought the post-race food was really superb. Many different varieties of food including soup! I did not stick around but the massages were still going strong when I finished and it looks like people were still able to get beer if they wanted it.

I liked the separation of half and full-marathoners at the start line as it let to less congestion. Two other minor things I liked were having runners select a name to put on their bibs for people to shout out while you run by and the foam chips that were already attached to the back of the bibs.

I did hear of three runners that I passed complain that their pace group had gone ahead because they felt so good which to me is unacceptable as a pacer because people will nearly always get left behind as in this case.

Also, the pictures from Brightroom photography are numerous and good quality. I loved the video of me crossing the finish line. That's a nice touch!

This is a great family getaway marathon. We stayed at a hotel on the beach for cheaper than any other marathon I have run. We also walked to the start line from our hotel!

The course is painfully boring and flat. I honestly do not recall running a more blah course. But as I mentioned before, this is a great marathon to take the family to as there is plenty to do and the hotels are very affordable with great views of the ocean!

Overall, a family getaway marathon that is flat and boring but has great volunteers and some nice medium-sized marathon perks.
 

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